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Column: Barn dance in Amherst ends in tragedy

Do you ever walk through a cemetery and as you look at the stones, ponder how the people died? Perhaps it is my job, or just my curiosity, but as I look at the gravestones, knowing each person there had a story, I always wonder how their story ended.

Today I will tell you a life story you never would have guessed from the simple stone setting silent in a small cemetery not far from Stevens Point.

Maximilian Wilhelm Ristow was born Jun. 27, 1877, in Germany, the eldest son of Emil and Augustine Ristow.

In 1886, at age 8, Max arrived in the United States with his parents, who would eventually take up farming in the town of Lanark.

For whatever reason, perhaps need, perhaps convenience, perhaps choice, Max never left home, instead working on the family farm and remaining single.

Max had just turned 40 a month before, when on Jul. 28, 1917, he was attending a farewell party for someone at the Ernest Borchardt farm, 3 miles west of Amherst.

Like many barn dances of that era, this dance party was taking place on the upper floor of the granary.

Max was joyfully dancing with his partner, Miss Bernice Leary, also of Amherst.

The Stevens Point Daily Journal reported that the merry-makers were having the time of their lives and while Max "was executing the steps of a dreamy waltz," the unthinkable happened.

Unbeknownst to the couple, they had drawn near to the open stairway leading to the first floor, and as Max swung his partner around, he lost his balance and the two fell heavily down the stairway.

His horrified friends, who witnessed the tragedy, said that Max tried hard to protect his dance partner and as a consequence, Bernice was barely scathed.

Max was not as lucky. Upon landing at the base of the stairs, the top of his head struck the lower step and severely crushed his skull. From the time of impact, he was motionless, although still alive.

Dr. Smith was summoned immediately, and arrived in 15 minutes, but there was little he could do. Advising that there was but a small chance for recovery, the doctor still advised that Max be taken to Oshkosh at once.

There was just time to head off the Midnight Limited, Soo train No. 18, at Amherst, and Max was rushed to St. Mary's Hospital in Oshkosh.

The Oshkosh Daily Northwestern reported that the doctors at the hospital did all they could, but death was inevitable and Max died two days later, without regaining consciousness.

Max was survived by one brother and two sisters. One of his sisters and her husband would end up moving back home to assist the elderly parents on the farm.

After Max's death, his body was taken back home and services took place at the German Church, with Rev. Richter officiating.

Burial followed in the Lower Amherst Cemetery, which is where I found Max, 96 years later, just waiting for his story to be told.

Rhonda Whetstone is a columnist for Stevens Point Journal Media, Daily Tribune Media and News-Herald Media. Rhonda's Twitter ID is TribRendezvous if you wish to follow her musings there. You also can get previews of upcoming columns by clicking "like" on Portage to the Past on Facebook. If you have story ideas of a historical nature, email her at Rhonda.Whetstone@gmail.com.